Mini-mizing: Mini to Limit Model Lineup in the Future, May Still Launch New SUV

Steve Siler

Feb 12, 2014

Patrick M. Hoey and the Manufacturer

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In stark contrast to parent company BMW, which is currently in the process of ginsu-slicing its lineup into a zillion tiny slivers—hello, 4-series Gran Coupe, 3-series Gran Turismo, X4, et al—Mini appears set to reduce its number of model lines and make the ones that remain more distinct from one another. To which we say, “Hooray.”

According to a report in the U.K.’s Autocar, BMW Board member for Mini and Rolls-Royce Peter Schwarzenbauer feels that the number of Mini model lines could shrink from the six or seven (or more) models currently planned for the third-gen range to just four or five “hero cars,” including the company’s hatchback models, a convertible, and an SUV (of course) that would be bigger than the current Countryman. The SUV could arrive in 2017 and would be the first such expression of the new strategy, according to the report. Of course, Mini is still likely to offer Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works versions of its vehicles, as well as various themed packages for each model, so the reduced lineup complexity is relative.

The result would allow Mini to concentrate on bringing the “Mk4” Mini models to an even higher level of quality than the recently introduced Mk3 Mini, which is a pretty high-quality car already. Furthermore, “Each model must be a hero in its own market and have the trademark personality, style, and go-kart handling,” Schwarzenbauer is quoted as saying.

The report also states that Schwarzenbauer would like Mini to have a design studio in London, the capital of the brand’s ancestral land. Indeed, that would only be proper.